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February 24, 2004
Progress Targeted at 2004 National Workshops
I am pleased to report that, since I took office, we have managed to reduce the Association's travel expenses. We have tried to weed out unnecessary trips, starting from the top of the organization. During the last year, I have been called a half-dozen times to leave the state for certain meetings. Twice I paid for these trips out of my own pocket. And twice I declined to take trips that either were not truly necessary or were not the best use of my time in service of Utah soccer. Last June, for instance, I declined to spend our players' money to travel to Hawaii for the Far West Regional Championships. Instead, I arranged for the State Cup Chairperson, whose attendance at the tournament was more vital, to perform certain ceremonial functions on my behalf. Then, in October, I chose not to attend the Regional Workshops so that I could concentrate my efforts on campaigning for Salt Lake City Proposition No. 5. I also believe that we have managed to squeeze more value for the Association's membership from those dollars spent on travel. For example, Executive Director Scott Harward arranged to send only those administrators whose attendance was deemed mandatory or for whom there were specific objectives at the recent workshops. I am grateful to those who contributed their time to join me in Boston to work for the benefit of Utah players. More importantly, I am pleased to report that we returned with plans to implement changes that will benefit every Utah player. Registration Initiative My administration is pledged to improve the Association's use of technology. Last year, for example, the Association's website, www.utahyouthsoccer.net, was redesigned and re-launched. Utah Youth Soccer was also one of the pioneers of E-Travel, a web-based notification system that allows Association members to obtain approval to travel instantaneously and at no cost. Next we hope to overhaul the registration system to reduce paperwork and increase the ability of the Association-and its member organizations-to communicate with membership. I have asked Vice President Scott Maxfield, whose portfolio includes the registration process, to supervise an overhaul of the registration policies and processes. During the workshops, Scott Maxfield and I asked District 3 Chairman John Lowery and Executive Director Scott Harward to survey the hundreds of vendors at the convention to explore every avenue for streamlining the registration process with better technology. The results of this search were promising. We now expect to enter negotiations for the development of customized software. It is our ambition to implement a new system in time for registration for the 2004-05 seasonal year. It is our goal to transform and simplify the registration process while affording greater flexibility and more convenience for the Association's members. National Council Meeting On Thursday, February 19th, I represented the Utah Youth Soccer Association at the National Council meeting. The National Council meeting began with a presentation of a strategic plan. The Council then addressed a proposal to increase player dues by fifty cents in the coming seasons. I voted against this proposal, but it carried by a narrow margin. The dues increase from the national affiliate will be passed through by the state association during the registration process, so every member association should build this increase into budgets and fees for the next seasonal year. President's Meeting The President's Meeting began with an extended briefing on the preparations of US Youth Soccer and its state affiliates to submit a grievance to the US Soccer Federation to seek redress for inequality in the Federation's governing structure and inequality in its operations. Despite being-by far-the largest membership organization within the Federation, US Youth Soccer possesses only a small fraction of the voting strength within the Federation. US Youth Soccer accounts for more than 80% of the Federation's membership and it reportedly contributes more than half of its revenues, yet US Youth Soccer representatives hold only approximately 20% of the vote. The reality is that US Youth Soccer lacks any meaningful ability to influence or, if necessary to thwart, actions pushed by other interest groups. In practical terms, this means that US Youth Soccer cannot prevent a minority of Federation members-who nevertheless enjoy a stranglehold on the organization's political strength-from imposing policies or fee increases upon the youth players of this country. We believe that it is contrary to this nation's principles, and the country's law, for taxation of amateur athletes to be imposed in the absence of meaningful representation. The President's Meeting was also scheduled to address proposals that would reform the national rules for travel and registration. Unfortunately, apparently due to time restraints, the body was adjourned without taking any action on these important subjects. I was disappointed that reforms were not enacted at this weekend's meeting. I will continue to advocate for the liberalization of registration and travel rules. In the interim, we are exploring measures that can be adopted at the state level for the benefit of the Association's membership. Region IV Council Meeting I also represented the Utah Youth Soccer Association at the Region IV Council meeting, which was held late on the afternoon of Thursday, February 19th. Region IV consists of the national state associations ("NSAs") from thirteen western states, with California divided geographically between two governing bodies. The other states are Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, and Wyoming. Region IV operates as an administrative sub-unit of the national organization and is primarily responsible for the operation of the annual Far West Regional Championships, Regional ODP camp, and Regional ODP teams. The Region IV Council quickly addressed several items of business. The Council voted to award the 2006 Far West Regional Championships to Boise, Idaho. The Council also called for an update on the 2004 Regional Workshops, which will be held in Salt Lake City in October. I invited representatives from the fourteen state associations to attend these workshops, and then introduced Director of Development Bruce Cuppett, who has agreed to lead the preparations for both the 2004 Regional Workshops and the 2005 National Workshops. Cuppett then made a presentation to the delegates on the preparations for the workshop. Governing Structure Task Force
On Friday, February 20th, I spent several hours participating in focus group discussions about the structure and functioning of the U.S. Soccer Federation. After last summer's contentious Annual General Meeting of the U.S. Federation [click here for my report] from this meeting, the Federation empanelled a special task force. The Federation also retained a management consulting firm to prepare a report that is expected to make recommendations about the Federation's governing structure. I have been invited to participate in several group discussions facilitated by the consulting firm. In the coming weeks I will be involved in a couple more focus group sessions. The report from the consulting group on the Federation's governance is expected to be issued sometime in May. 2005 National Workshops Next February, the Utah Youth Soccer Association will have the honor of hosting our nation's soccer community for the 2005 National Workshops. This event, which will be held in Salt Lake City, will afford Utah's soccer family with a valuable opportunity to attend the national workshops without incurring the expense of traveling from Utah. There will be lectures directed towards parents, courses for administrators, and practical demonstrations for players and coaches. There will also be opportunities to volunteer to help the Utah Youth Soccer Association successfully host this event. There are also opportunities for sponsors wishing to participate in the largest annual meeting of the world's largest youth sports organization. For more details on workshop opportunities, please contact Bruce Cuppett at cuppet@waterpro.net. Finally, you are welcome to contact me if you desire any further information about the recent workshops or if you wish to discuss any of the matters described in this report. It remains my honor to represent you, and I ask for your continued help in growing our game for every player within Utah's boundaries.
Paul C. Burke Click below to read the reports of other Utah Youth Soccer representative who attended the workshops.
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Thirteen months ago, I ran for the presidency of the Utah Youth Soccer Association because I wanted to work with others to improve the game in our state. With my election also came the responsibility of representing Utah's soccer community at various national meetings. At these events I have endeavored to advocate on behalf of our state's youth soccer players. I have also tried to take advantage of opportunities at these meetings to learn how the Association might better serve its membership. My approach to the recent US Youth Soccer National Workshops was no exception to this philosophy.